The first trial of the former managing director of publishing giant KADOKAWA, who is accused of bribing a former director of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in a corruption case involving the sponsorship contract of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, was held and admitted to the charges against him.
Seyuki Yoshihara (65), who was the managing director of the publishing giant KADOKAWA, is accused of giving a bribe of more than 79 million yen to Haruyuki Takahashi (6900), a former member of the organizing committee, as a reward for receiving a favor in the selection of a sponsor for the Tokyo Games.
At the first trial held at the Tokyo District Court on January 1, former managing director Yoshihara admitted the charges against him.
In his opening statement, the prosecution stated, "We were asked by former board members to pay us in return for the favor, and when our corporate lawyers pointed out that it could constitute bribery, we confirmed our intention to then-Chairman Fumihiko Kadokawa and said, 'I would like to announce as soon as possible that we have become a sponsor. I can show that I am doing something amazing,' and 'That's how the world is, so I have to ask,'" he said, claiming that he and the head of the office at the time considered a way to pay without being discovered.
In the Olympic corruption case, three KADOKAWA officials have admitted that three people were accused of bribery, and the former head of the office in charge was also charged.
The trial of the former president has not begun, but according to those involved, he has consistently denied the charges against him.